Surface condenser



July 6 1926.

D. R. MORGAN SURFACE CONDENSER Fild Ju ne 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July} 6 1926.

o. w. R. MORGAN SURFACE CONDENSER Filed Jun'e :3. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VW R Mm TOR tioning normally to effect the condensation of the steam entering the condenser. The air-cooling and withdrawing apparatus cooperates in a particularly advantageous manner during the cleaning period. The airoiitake is located centrally within the tube nest and, due to this position, produces an eflieientflow of gases and vapor through the cooling tubes, irrespective of the location ot the section of tubes being cleaned. The water aekets surrounding the withdrawal conduits are supplied with water independently of any of the vertical compartments so that the air being withdrawn is always subjected to a further cooling action prior to its delivery to the withdrawal mechanism. This arrangement insures an efficient action of the air-withdrawal mechanism and maintains a satisfactory vacuum within the condenser during periods of cleaning.

For a more detailed understanding of an apparatus embodying my invention, reference may be had to the drawing in which I have indicated a condenser at 10 comprising a shell 11, which has end portions 12, 13 of reduced diameter. An inlet 1% for exhaust steam or other medium to be condensed, is provided in the upper portion of the shell 11. As is customary, water boxes 14, 15 are bolted or otherwise secured to the end portions 12, 13 of the shell 11, tube plates 16, 17 being held between the flanges on the water boxes 11, 15 and cooperating flanges on the end portions 12, 13 of the condenser shell. Tubes 18 are secured in the tube plates 16, 17, so as to traverse the space within the shell 11, and to open into the water boxes 14, 15, in the usual manner. As shown, the tubes and water boxes are arranged to effect a twopass flow of cooling water through the condenser, although it is to be understood that a single pass or mnlti'pass flow of cooling water may be utilized if desired.

The nest of tubes 18 and tube plates 16, 17 are disposed eccentrically with respect to the cylindrical lower portion of the condenser shell, the tube nest being nearest the shell at the lowermost portion thereof. This arrangement provides adequate passages 19, 20 of decreasing flow area in open communication with the steam inlet 14 and extending downwardly between the longitudinally extending walls of the condenser shell and th tube nest in such a manner that the steam or other fluid being condensed can enter the tube nest at substantially any point throughout its perimeter. In the lower portion of the shell 11 is a hot-well 21. provided with an outlet port 22 through which the condensate may be removed.

An air cooling chamber 25, which may be of any suitable size and conformation, is disposed within a central upper zone of the tube bank and, as illustrated, is a rectangular chamber having two vertically disposed side walls 26, 2? extending the full length of the condenser shell and preferably secured to and supported by the tube plates 1G. 17. A portion of the second pass cooling tubes traverse the cooling chamber 25 for a purpose hereinafter more fully set forth. A roof member 2; secured to the side-wall members 2G, 27 forms the top or root of the chainber 25. An additional roof member 2.) spaced from the member 28 may be provided to prevent the incoming steam from impinging against the roof member '28 and from heating the air passing through the cooling chamber 25.

Extending upwardly through the open bottom of he air-cooling chamber is an air-withdrawal chamber 30 which comprises two longitudinally extending plates 31, 32 extending the full length of the condenser. Conduits 31 extend downwardly "from and communicate with the chamber 30, the bottom of which is closed except tor the ports communicating with the conduit-s. 3-1. The conduits 3% lead downwardly through the bottom of the condenser and dischargeintoan air-withdrawal manifold The conduits Set are surrounded by jackets 3S, spaced from the conduits to form water-containing chambers. ater is supplied to the jaclicti 38 from a cooling water main 39 by means: of a pipe 410 and branches 5 .1, the latter being provided with valves -12 to control the flow of water through the severalv jackets. Discharge pipes 43 are arranged to carry away the water from the upper portions of the water jackets 38 into the water boxes.

The cooling water passages are divided into a number of vertically separated sections for the purpose of facilitating the cleaning of the cooling tubes. Access to the cooling tubes 18 for the purpose of cleaning the tubes is had through clean-out openings 15 disposed in the outer walls of the water boxes 11 and 15. Cover plates 16 are provided to close the openings and are held in place in any well-known manner. Each section of both of the water boxes 11 and 15 is provided with these clean-out openings so that access may be to the tube plates and to the tubes from either end of the condenser. The arrangement is such that while one so:- tion is being cleaned, the other section or sections function to etlect the condensation of the steam entering the COIHlQILwH'. Any suitable number of separated sections may be provided in a condenser depemliu; upon the character of duty the condenser is called upon to perform. In comlensmz; which carry a uniform load continuously for long periods of time, a larger number of separated cooling sections is preferable. The cooling sections may be of the rlnpass, two-pass or multi-pass type. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the condenser is provided with two cooling water sections,

each consisting of two passes. In carrying out this distribution of the cooling water through the condenser, I provide in the water box 15 a vertical partition 50 and a horizontal partition 51, which divide the box into four chambers 52, 53, 5e and 5-5. Cooling water is admitted to the two lower chambers 54, from the manifold 89 through branch pipes 56, 57, each of which is preferably provided with a shutoff valve 58, 59. lhe upper water chambers I, 53 are also provided with outlet connections 60, 61 which lead to any suitable discharge means. The water box l l'is provided with a single vertical partition 65 which divides the water box into two water compartments 66, 67, and which cooperates with the partition 50 of the water box 15 to form the separated cooling water sections. Drainage pipes 68 having valves 69 may also be provided.

Having described the arrangement of apparatus embodying my invention, the operation thereof is as follows. Steam from a turbine, or other steam consumer, is admitted to the condenser through the inlet 14, and passes downwardly through the condenser so as to surround the nest of tubes 18, which asrabove described, are arranged eccentrically within the condenser shell. The steam enters substantially throughout the entire periphery of'the tube nest and passes radially therethrough toward the inlet passages of the air-cooling chamber 95. The steam-traverses in relatively short paths through the tube nest, the condenser being preferably sodesigned that the condensable vapors are largely separated from the noncondensable gases prior to the entrance of the air into the inlet of the air-cooling chamber 25. The air passes upwardly through the chamber 25 contacting with the second pass tubes 18 therein which serve to separate out the condensable vapors and to reduce the temperature and specific volume of the air, the condensate therefrom drain ing back into the condenser. The cooled air then passes into the open upper end of the withdrawal chamber 30 and downwardly therethr-ou h into the withdrawal conduit 34. Since the riliamber 30 is surrounded by cooL ing tubes 18, a further reduction in the temperature and the volume of the air takes place during its passage therethrough. The conduits Mare rectangular in cross-section and afford an extended contact-coolin surface for the air passing therethrough, the

tion that the air is progressively cooled, first in the chamber 25, then in the chamber 30 and finally within the conduits 34, the co0ling agencies being progressively of lower temperatures throughout the travel: of the air being removed.

In cleaning the condenser, the valve in one of the branch inlets, for example the valve 58 in the branch 56 is closed and the water drained from the vertical compartment comprising chambers 52, 5e, 67, and associated tubes 18, in any suitable manner, as through the pipe 68 and valve 69. Access may then be had to the tubes entering the chambers52, 5e and 67 and the tubes cleaned by means of any suitable cleaning instrument. During this operation, the tubes being cleaned are inactive to condense steam. The cooling tubes communicating with the chambers 53, 55 and 66 are, however, functioning normally to condense the steam entering the condenser and are. able to maintain a satisfactory vacuum within the condenser, particularly if the power plant is operating under a light load. The air passing through the chambers '25, 30 and conduit 34; is sufficiently reduced in volume so that the air, withdrawal means operates at nearly normal efficiency and is enabled to maintain a suitable degree of vacuum within the condenser. It will be noted that while the tubes on either side of the-condenser are being cleaned, the tubes on the other side of the condenser are so disposed with relation to the air-oiftake means that a direct and positive flow of steam through the active condensing portions of the tube nest. is effected.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, the water box 15 is shown provided with three vertically extending partitions 70, 71 and Z2 and a single horizontal partition 73. Cooperating partitions 7%, 75 and 76 in the water bor; l t are also provided. An inlet manifold 39 provided with four branch connections 78, 79, 80 and 81, each provided with valve 82, is arranged to supply the several lower chambers of the water box 15' with cooling water in a manner similar to that described with relation to Fig. 4:. 'Discharge connections 83, 84, and 86 leading from the upper chambers of the water box 15 are also provided.

The operation of my condenser when pro vided with the multichamber water boxes 14, 15 illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, is identical with that described above in relation to Figs, 1 to 5, inclusive. The division of the cooling water flowing through the condenser into a number of separated streams permitsthe cleaning of the condenser tube while the power plant is operating under normal load without materially reducing the over-all efficiency of theplant.

It is to be understood that the air-cooling lit and removal apparatus illustrated and described above may be utilized to full advantage in a condenser in which there is a single or multi-pass fiow of cooling water through the condenser and that the arrangement for etlecting low temperatures and low specific volumes of the air withdrawn is in no wise limited to condensers having a plurality of separated cooling water sections. It is evident, however, tl at the arrangement within the condenser of the specific air cooling construction, herein described, cooperates with the separated cooling water sections in such a manner as to avoid a duplication of air-coooling and air with drawal mechanism, and to secure satisfactory condenser conditions both during periods of normal operation and during cleaning periods.

lvhile I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

IVhat I claim is 1. The combination in a condenser having a shell defining a condensing chamber and anest of cooling tubes traversing the cham ber, of partitions defining within the condensing chamber a non-condensable gas cooling chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in the upper central portion of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of noneondensable gases thereto from the central por tion of the tube nest. and means for withdrawing the non-condensable gases from the upper portion of the chamber downwardly theretlnough and without the condenser.

2. The combination in a condenser having a shell defining a condensing chamber, and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of partitions defining within the con- (lensing chamber a non-condensable gas cooling chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in the central upper portion of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of non-condensable gases thereto from the central portion of the tube nest, and means for withdrawing non-condensable gases from the upper portion of the chamber downwardly therethrough, and means within the condenser for further cooling the non-condensable gases during their passage through said withdrawal means. 7

3. The combination in a condenser having av shell defining; a condensing chamber, and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of partitions defining within the condensing chamber a non-condensable gas chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in the central upper portion of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission o't non-coin (lNli-HhlG. gases thereto from the central portion ol the tube nest. and incans for withdrawing non-condensaldo from the up per portion. of the chamber dowuwardlv therethrough. and means within the condenser l'or turther cooling the nonondensable gases during their passage through said withdrawal means. comprising a water jacket surrouna'iing at least a portion of the said withd awal means.

l. The combination in a condenser having a shell defining a condensing chamber, and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of a non-coiulensablc gas cooling chamber within the tube nest and traversed by a portion of the cooling tubes. said gas cooling chamber having inlet means situated well within the tube nest, means for withdrawing non-condcnsable gases 'l rom por tions of the gas cooling chamber remote from the inlet means, said withdrawal means traversing the gas cooling chamber and 0X- tending through the condenser shell, and means within the condenser tor l'urther cooling the non-condensable gases during their passage through said withdrawal means, con'iprising a water jacket surrounding at least a portion of the said withdrawal means.

The combination in a condenser comprising a shell delining a condensing chamber and having a vapor inlet means and a condensate outlet means. and a nest ot cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of partition walls extending the length of the condensing chamber and defining therein a non-condensable gas cooling chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in an upper portion of a central vertical zone of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of non-condensable gases thereto, an open-topped outlet channel extending centrallv of the said cooling chamber, the open top communicating with the upper portion thereof, and an outlet duct communicating with a lower portion of said channel and leading outwardly through the condenser shell.

6. The combination in a condenser comprising a shell defining a condensing chamber and having a vapor inlet means and a condensate outlet means, and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber. of partition walls extending the length of the con- (lensing chamber and defining therein a non condensable gas cooling chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in an upper portion of a central vertical zone ot the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of non-comlensable gases thereto, an open-topped outlet channel excooling "boxes on the ends rte-11,769

' communicating with a lowenportion of said channeland leading outwardly through the condenser shelhand means. for reducing the temperature and specific volum of the noncondensable gases passing through saidoutlet duct including a wmer ing the said duct.

T. The combination in alcondenser com- L i ng a shell definin condensing chamber and having a vapor inlet means, meadens ate discharge means, cooling waterof the shellhano. a nest. of tubes traversing the condensing chamber and communicating with said water boxes, of means,associatedwith the water boxesfor causing cooling water to pass through the condenser ina plurality of separated zones, means for shutting off the flow of water through any Zone, and means for withdrawing non-condensable gases from a central portion of the tube nest, whereby amiuimum reduction in Vacuum within the condenser results from the shutting 05; of the flow of water through any Zone.

8. The combination in a- COHQGDSQI' comprising a shell defining a condensing chamher and having a vapor inlet means, a condensate discharge means, cooling water boxes on the ends of the shell and a nest o1 tubes traversing the condensing chamber and communicating with said water boxes,

jacket surroundof means associated with the water boxes for causing cooling water to pass through the condenser in a plurality of separated zones, means for shutting off the flow of water through any Zone, and means for withdrawing non-condensable gases from a central portion of the tube nest, and means .within the condenser for cooling the stud gases during their withdrawal from the condenser, whereby when any of the separated zones is withdrawn from service for purpose of cleaning the tubes thereof, a minimum decreased efficiency in the operation of the condenser results.

9. The combination in a condenser comprising a shell defining a'condensing cham- 3 ber, cooling water boxes on the ends of the shell and a nest of cooling water tubes traversing the condensing chamber and communicating w1th said water boxes, of a vertical partition in each water box cooperating cooling water chambers, partition walls defining within. the condensing chamber a non-- condensable gas cooling chamber, said cool? ing chamberemb-racing cooling tubes in the central: upper portion: of the tube nest and being open at thebottoin for the admission of air thereto-, and means for withdrawing the non-condensable gases from the u per portion of the chamber, whereby when any or the separated zones "is withdrawn from service for purposes I of cleaning the tubes thereof a minimum decreased eiiiciency in the operation of the condenser results.

'10 The (combination: in a condenser. coinsaid cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in the central upper portion of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of air thereto, means for withdrawing non-condensable gases from the upper portion of the chamber, means within the condenser for further cooling the noncondensable gases during their passage through said withdrawal means, comprising a water jacket surrounding at least a portion of said withdrawal means, a conduit supplying cooling water to one of said water boxes, and means for supplying water to the jacket from the conduit and discharging the Water from the jacket to one of the water boxes.

11. The combination in a condenser comprising a shell, defining a condensing chamber, cooling water boxes on the ends of the shell and a nest of cooling water tubes traversing the condensing chamber and communicating with said water boxes, of partition Walls extending the length of the condensing chamber and defining therein a non condensable gas cooling chamber, said cooling chamber embracing cooling tubes in an upper portion of a central vertical zone of the tube nest and being open at the bottom for the admission of non-condensable gases thereto, an open-topped outlet channel extending centrally of the said cooling chamber, the open top communicating with the upper portions of the cooling chamber, and outlet duct communicating w1th a lower portion of said channel and leading outwardly through the condenser shell, means for reducing the temperature and specific Volume of the non-condensable gases passing through the said outlet ductincluding a water jacket surrounding the said duct, and means for supplying cooling water to the jacket and discharging the water from the jacket into one of the water boxes.

12. The combination with a condenser having a shell defining a condensing chamher and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of means for admitting cooling water to one portion of the shell, means for discharging cooling water from another portion of the shell, the cooling water being gradually heated in its passage through the shell, means for removing air and non-condensable gases from aportion of the shell through which relatively warm cooling Water passes, and means for conveying the air and non-condensable gases through a portion of the shell through which relatively cold cooling water passes whereby the air and non-condensable gases are effectively cooled prior to their removal from the condenser shell.

13. The combination with a condenser having a shell defining a condensing chamher and a nest of cooling tubes traversing the chamber, of means for admitting cooling water to one portion of the shell, means for discharging cooling water from another portion of the shell, the cooling water being gradually heated in its passage through the shell means disposed within the shell for removing the air and non-condensable gases, said removal means embracing cooling tubes through which relatively warm cooling water passes, whereby the air and non-condensable gases are partly cooled, and means for conveying the air and non-condensable gases through that portion of the shell in which the tubes convey relatively cold cooling water, whereby the air and non-condensable gases are further cooled prior to their removal from the condenser shell.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of May,

D. V. R. MORGAN. 

